This month, we’re introducing Deke’s Techniques, a new offering of bite-sized training from computer graphics guru Deke McClelland. It’s a cross between a weekly blog post, podcast, and project-based tutorial, presented in Deke’s signature step-by-step style. Each week, you can stop by our blog to watch Deke share another of his visually compelling creative effects in a quick, accessible, recipe format. We’ll feature a new free video for everyone every week, and lynda.com members will have access to the entire, ever-growing collection of Deke’s Techniques directly from the Online Training Library® (including exclusive member-only videos.)

Many of you rely on Deke for his in-depth One-on-One series on Photoshop and Illustrator, those wonderful full-course meals of training that comprehensively cover a vast compendium of features. By contrast, Deke’s Techniques will provide a quick inspiring bite on a specific technique that you can put to work in your creative projects right away.

For example, check out this week’s episode, in which Deke shares his method for creating this icy cool type effect. In this preview installment, Deke combines the Wind filter and some quickly applied layer effects in Photoshop to create this chilly effect, including fully formed icicles. But thanks to a careful use of smart objects, the text remains decidedly unfrozen and completely editable underneath. It’s perfect for your winter-themed design projects (for instance, those of us who might not get our holiday greetings out until mid-January). And Deke delivers it in under 10 minutes, so you can put your new information to use right away.

Stop back by next week to see another installment. And let us know what you think about getting fresh installments every week in this easily digestible format.